Looking back at Ilayaraja songs on his birthday

'Raja Raja dhan. No one can replace the maestro in the music field. Each song is a concept and every BGM has a life.' - This was the unanimous reaction when News Today asked people of different age groups to choose one Ilayaraja song they love and give a reason for it.

QUALITY SPEAKS

"There are hundreds of Raja songs that I love. Some of them are Aanandha Raagam, Kalyana Thenila, Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai, and more," says founder of Chennai 2000 Plus Trust, R Rangaraj.

"The reason why I love his works is it has so much of life in it. The unique combination of Carnatic, Western and folk he uses in his songs and the way he aligns the music are very refreshing to hear. He gives so much care and attention to every bit of music in the background. For instance, one of his songs Ilamayenum Poongaatru, has three different interludes which makes the song unique," he adds.

Rangaraj points out, "He made 5-6 recordings a day but still the quality of the songs were great and the most appreciable part is without any technological advances, only with handwritten notes, his mind acted as computer and he brought in great co-operation among his musicians."

"There was a time when we did not look at the movie title or the actors. If the poster said music by Ilayaraja, we would run to see the movie the very first day," added Rangaraj.

"I find that Ilayaraja's speciality is composing best situation songs. Mine is a love marriage. Due to some family issues our marriage was stopped and at the time I used to go around my wife's house on my bicycle by hanging a small radio on it. This Annakali sound would play then. Those days with Raja's music are to be cherished. However, in my life, the problems were later resolved and we were happily married. We are both diehard Ilayaraja fans," he beams.

FANS OF ALL AGE-GROUPS

Not only seniors, the music maestro has huge fans among college-goers. Mohan, a UG Social Work student, says, "I live alone and Ilayaraja's music is my partner. Thendral Vandhu Theendumbodhu is my favourite song. Hearing it during late night hours takes me to another world. The blend of music and lyrics are amazing in this song."

MOVE WITH THE SONG

For S Seshadhri, GM of YKnot Systems, there are a lot of songs that mesmerise people. It is very difficult for him to point out any one song. He says, "'Kannama Kaadhal Ennum Kavidhai Solladi, is one of his best works. Especially the line, Innum Ennai Vegu Dhooram Kooti Selgiraai, feels like travelling along with the song."